I’ve just spent a very enjoyable Saturday afternoon at the University of Sheffield Engineering Alumni day. Having graduated here in 1978 it was a great opportunity for me to catch up with what was happening at the University, including some ambitious plans to turn the old Jessops Hospital site into an ultra modern teaching facility for engineering students of the future. We had the opportunity to view the model of the proposed building at Firth Court. Ann and I were both born at Jessops – as were both of our daughters – so it was a bit of an odd feeling to think of our birthplace disappearing.

We also had a sneak preview of the Formula Student entry which will be heading for Silverstone next weekend. Here’s wishing the team the best of luck.

It was nice to have it confirmed by Professor Iain Todd that many of the students who study at Sheffield decide to settle in the area after graduation. After all, us locals already know that this is a Brilliant Yorkshire Location but having our brightest young people working here will be a great boost for the local economy for many years to come.

It was good for me to meet other graduates of the Faculty of Engineering which is now ranked among the top in the country. Some of these I’ve known professionally for many years but others I met only for the first time today. I’ll certainly be taking away some of the comments made for my work with the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Many thanks to Ruth Stanley and Amy Jones from Alumni Relations for organising the day and to the other staff members who gave their time this afternoon to make us welcome. I’ll look forward to the next one.